Black Glinda

Apparently for the first time ever, Wicked has cast an African-American woman as a Glinda. Brittney Johnson (Les Mis, Motown, Beautiful, Sunset Boulevard) will be heading to the Gershwin as ensemble, u/s Glinda. Any thoughts?

It says a lot about the culture we live in and how far we still have to come (especially in one of the supposively more liberal of the liberal arts) when shows like Wicked and Phantom, which have both run for more than a decade, are just now hiring POC actors in roles that aren't just the ensemble.

It's a step forward but it says a lot about 1). Casting Directors and 2). Production Staffs that this has taken so long and is still so few and far between.

Sondheimite said: "It says a lot about the culture we live in and how far we still have to come (especially in one of the supposively more liberal of the liberal arts) when shows like Wicked and Phantom, which have both run for more than a decade, are just now hiring POC actors in roles that aren't just the ensemble.

It's a step forward but it says a lot about 1). Casting Directors and 2). Production Staffs that this has taken so long and is still so few and far between."

To be fair, Wicked has had numerous POC play Elphaba, as well as Fiyero, the Wizard, and Madame Morrible. They’ve just never (to my knowledge) had a POC play Glinda. But to say they’re “just now hiring POC” for non-ensemble roles is a bit disingenuous.

adamgreer said: "Sondheimite said: "It says a lot about the culture we live in and how far we still have to come (especially in one of the supposively more liberal of the liberal arts) when shows like Wicked and Phantom, which have both run for more than a decade, are just now hiring POC actors in roles that aren't just the ensemble.

It's a step forward but it says a lot about 1). Casting Directors and 2). Production Staffs that this has taken so long and is still so few and far between."

To be fair, Wicked has had numerousPOC play Elphaba, as well as Fiyero, the Wizard, and Madame Morrible. They’ve just never (to my knowledge) had a POC play Glinda. But to say they’re “just now hiring POC” for non-ensemble roles is a bit disingenuous."

You're totally correct, I was being generalizing in my post and I should have made more clarifications! Thank you for pointing this out!

A better wording of my post would be much simpler and cut a lot of the generalizing fat:

It says a lot when it's 2018 and we still, sadly, have to consider a POC person being hired to play certain roles as news worthy.

I think it's wonderful. I do wonder if it would change the dynamic of their friendship at all since Elphaba is shunned by her classmates (and Glinda) for having green skin. Would a black actress bring subtleties to their developing friendship if she's able to relate on some level? There's nothing in the text that she could play, but there's certainly subtext. I hope I explained that appropriately.

Oak2 said: "CedricOates said: "I think they won’t make her a blonde wig. It might be black or brown. Like Frozen has donefor Aisha, who is the Annastandby, doesn’t have the orange hair that Anna usually has."

If they do this, I wonder if they'll change the lyric in "What Is This Feeling" where Elphaba uses the word "Blonde" as a punchline, and if so what they would possibly change it o."

Goooooooood point. Yeah, i think because the show has been locked for years, they’ll make it work with the blonde wig. Maybe if they did change a lyric, they can use “bright” as oxymoron for being ditsy. I’m not so sure they will change a lyric for an understudy.

Sondheimite said: "It says a lot about the culture we live in and how far we still have to come (especially in one of the supposively more liberal of the liberal arts) when shows like Wicked and Phantom, which have both run for more than a decade, are just now hiring POC actors in roles that aren't just the ensemble.

THIS. People were applauding Phantom for casting Norm Lewis as the first African american to play the role. But people should have been shaming them for not casting a person of color sooner since its been running since the freakin 80's. Broadway is so tone deaf.

I just don't think a black Glinda is the best option, as the whole point of the story is that she portrays the typical privileged sorority girl, who has never experienced anything but adoration, completely contrasting with the colored Elphaba. This contrast is the basis of their bond. One is colored and one is not. Glinda makes remarks about Elphaba's color and the whole story is about how she is excluded and Elphaba makes remarks and gestures about Glinda that suggest she is dumb and blonde and oblivious.

Besides missing the point story wise, I also think that the race focus and victimization in society is at an absurd level at the moment that this will not give the role the emission of care free privilege that it needs. I suspect that racist people will cheer and clap from the moment she walks on, but that is forced race focus which is wrong in my opinion and the core of maintaining the racial gap. I also wonder, because Wicked is full of POC, why this role in particular is seen as some kind of "victory", because believable casting is not about victories or giving minorities of choice chances. Maybe in the future, when society understands that racism is a 2 way street, and that the race focus decreased a little (a lot), and nobody puts themselves in the victim role anymore, castings like these could feel more believable but society is not there yet. Sitting in the audience with victory flags to pretend this focus on showing how much black people are victims, widening the gap, celebrating this casting as some kind of victory, while the whole point of the story is about excluding color is a bit misplaced and forced.

Like we discussed before, percentages of POC working in the arts are already very much level. Most people auditioning for a role are white so that automatically means a higher chance a role goes to a white person. That does not make anyone tone deaf, except for the people not understanding this. Forced race focus is never a victory. This goes for roles where color does not matter, but wanting the opposite in roles where it does matter and then see it as victory is even worse.

RicardoMagon said: "Sondheimite said: "It says a lot about the culture we live in and how far we still have to come (especially in one of the supposively more liberal of the liberal arts) when shows like Wicked and Phantom, which have both run for more than a decade, are just now hiring POC actors in roles that aren't just the ensemble.

THIS. People were applauding Phantom for casting Norm Lewis as the first African american to play the role. But peopleshould have been shaming them for not casting a person of color sooner since its been running since the freakin 80's. Broadway is so tonedeaf.

I love Brittney Johnson. I saw her go on twice as Eponine, and she was my favorite of all the Eponines in that last revival. And she has a beautiful infectious smile. I'd love to see her go on as Glinda.

I just don't think a black Glinda is the best option, as the whole point of the story is that she portrays the typical privileged sorority girl, who has never experienced anything butadoration,completely contrasting with the colored Elphaba. This contrast is the basis of their bond. One is colored and one is not. Glinda makes remarks about Elphaba's color and the whole story is about how she is excludedand Elphaba makes remarks and gestures about Glinda that suggest she is dumb and blonde and oblivious.

Besides missingthe point story wise, I also think thatthe race focus and victimization in society is at an absurd level at the moment that this will not give the role the emission of care free privilege that it needs. I suspect that racist people will cheer and clap from the moment she walks on, but that is forced race focus which is wrong in my opinion and the core of maintaining the racial gap.I also wonder, because Wicked is full of POC, why this role in particular is seen as some kind of "victory", because believable casting is not about victories or giving minorities of choice chances. Maybe in the future, when society understands that racism is a 2 way street, and that the race focus decreased a little (a lot), and nobody puts themselves in the victim role anymore, castings like these could feel more believable but society is not there yet. Sitting in the audience with victory flags to pretend this focus on showing how much black people are victims, widening the gap, celebrating this casting as some kind of victory, while the whole point of the story is about excluding color is a bit misplaced and forced.

Like we discussed before, percentages of POC working in the arts are already very much level. Most people auditioning for a role are white so that automatically means a higher chance a role goes to a white person. That does not make anyone tone deaf, except for the people not understanding this. Forced race focus is never a victory. This goesfor roles where color does not matter, but wanting the opposite in roles where it does matter and then see it as victory is even worse.

Very excited about this! Brittney has a lovely voice and a bright personality; she seems perfect for Glinda. While it’s disheartening that it took this long to hav a poc play the role, I am happy for her. Would love to have her replace on tour.

CedricOates said: "Dave28282 said: "Wicked has a history of casting POC in all roles.

I just don't think a black Glinda is the best option, as the whole point of the story is that she portrays the typical privileged sorority girl, who has never experienced anything butadoration,completely contrasting with the colored Elphaba. This contrast is the basis of their bond. One is colored and one is not. Glinda makes remarks about Elphaba's color and the whole story is about how she is excludedand Elphaba makes remarks and gestures about Glinda that suggest she is dumb and blonde and oblivious.

Besides missingthe point story wise, I also think thatthe race focus and victimization in society is at an absurd level at the moment that this will not give the role the emission of care free privilege that it needs. I suspect that racist people will cheer and clap from the moment she walks on, but that is forced race focus which is wrong in my opinion and the core of maintaining the racial gap.I also wonder, because Wicked is full of POC, why this role in particular is seen as some kind of "victory", because believable casting is not about victories or giving minorities of choice chances. Maybe in the future, when society understands that racism is a 2 way street, and that the race focus decreased a little (a lot), and nobody puts themselves in the victim role anymore, castings like these could feel more believable but society is not there yet. Sitting in the audience with victory flags to pretend this focus on showing how much black people are victims, widening the gap, celebrating this casting as some kind of victory, while the whole point of the story is about excluding color is a bit misplaced and forced.

Like we discussed before, percentages of POC working in the arts are already very much level. Most people auditioning for a role are white so that automatically means a higher chance a role goes to a white person. That does not make anyone tone deaf, except for the people not understanding this. Forced race focus is never a victory. This goesfor roles where color does not matter, but wanting the opposite in roles where it does matter and then see it as victory is even worse.

TrChSpHa said: "CedricOates said: "Dave28282 said: "Wicked has a history of casting POC in all roles.

I just don't think a black Glinda is the best option, as the whole point of the story is that she portrays the typical privileged sorority girl, who has never experienced anything butadoration,completely contrasting with the colored Elphaba. This contrast is the basis of their bond. One is colored and one is not. Glinda makes remarks about Elphaba's color and the whole story is about how she is excludedand Elphaba makes remarks and gestures about Glinda that suggest she is dumb and blonde and oblivious.

Besides missingthe point story wise, I also think thatthe race focus and victimization in society is at an absurd level at the moment that this will not give the role the emission of care free privilege that it needs. I suspect that racist people will cheer and clap from the moment she walks on, but that is forced race focus which is wrong in my opinion and the core of maintaining the racial gap.I also wonder, because Wicked is full of POC, why this role in particular is seen as some kind of "victory", because believable casting is not about victories or giving minorities of choice chances. Maybe in the future, when society understands that racism is a 2 way street, and that the race focus decreased a little (a lot), and nobody puts themselves in the victim role anymore, castings like these could feel more believable but society is not there yet. Sitting in the audience with victory flags to pretend this focus on showing how much black people are victims, widening the gap, celebrating this casting as some kind of victory, while the whole point of the story is about excluding color is a bit misplaced and forced.

Like we discussed before, percentages of POC working in the arts are already very much level. Most people auditioning for a role are white so that automatically means a higher chance a role goes to a white person. That does not make anyone tone deaf, except for the people not understanding this. Forced race focus is never a victory. This goesfor roles where color does not matter, but wanting the opposite in roles where it does matter and then see it as victory is even worse.